Gwent drugs education film to get national showing

A FILM funded by Gwent’s police and crime commissioner highlighting the dangers of drugs is set to be showcased to other PCCs across the UK.

It comes after a leading education consultant said the dangers of so-called psychoactive substances mean we are facing the largest drugs concern in parts of Gwent for 30 years.

Gwent PCC Ian Johnston’s Partnership Fund has supported the 60-minute film — The Good Drug Dealer — with a £5,000 contribution.

It focuses on the impact of drugs such as mephedrone (known as meow meow or m-cat) on communities.

The Good Drug Dealer was directed by Welsh Bafta winner and Brynmawr Market Hall Cinema owner, Peter Watkins-Hughes, and was premiered at the venue earlier this year.

Funding from the PCC was used to develop the film and the accompanying education package as well as helping to provide training for best use of the package by teachers, youth workers and police in existing drug education.

Both the film and the education package are now ready to be rolled out to all schools and youth organisations in Gwent, free of charge, in preparation for the next academic year.

Mr Johnston will host a screening of The Good Drug Dealer at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ annual general meeting in Manchester tomorrow. Each PCC will receive a DVD so they can share and promote the film with educational establishments and youth organisations in their own communities.

The film is based on research by former teacher, Jeff O’Reilly, who spent a year speaking to around 70 youngsters aged 15 and 16.

Mr O’Reilly said: “The increase in use of psychoactive substances means we are facing the largest drugs concern in parts of Gwent I have seen in over 30 years of working in the development of drugs education.

“I found out it was easier for a 14-year-old to buy mephedrone than cigarettes.”